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 Henna Body Art

Henna Facts

The "Henna Plant" (Lawsonia inermis) is a tall shrub or small tree, 2-6 m high.  It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Southern Asia, and Northern Australasia, in semi-arid zones. 

Henna is commercially cultivated in western India, Pakistan, Morocco, Yemen, Iran, Sudan, and Libya.  Lawsonia inermis, produces a red-orange dye molecule, (lawsone).  This molecule has an affinity for bonding with protein and thus has been used to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather, silk and wool.

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      The Henna Plant               Powdered Henna Leaves

       (Lawsonia inermis)                (Ready for making the paste)

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Dried, ground, and sifted henna leaves are easily worked into a paste that can be used to make intricate body art.  This powder is mixed with lemon juice, strong tea, or other mildly acidic liquids.  Essential oils with high levels of "terps" (monoterpene alcohols) such as tea tree oil, eucalyptus, cajeput, or lavender oils, will improve the stain characteristic.  Many henna artists also add sugar to the recipe, to provide better "sticking" quality against the skin, which allows the paste to adhere to, and remain moist, on the skin to achieve a darker stain.

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Our Henna Paste Recipe

* Powdered Henna Leaves            * Lemon Juice 

               * Sugar            * "Tea Tree" Essential Oil  

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Paste Sealer

                                 * Lemon Juice           * Sugar

                 * Tissue Paper        * Plastic Wrap

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APPLICATION PROCESS

The henna artist applies the paste to the skin painlessly, by using several possible application methods. 

>>  Absolutely NO PUNCTURING of the skin is involved  <<

Usually the paste is squeezed from either a cone, or a small plastic bottle, which has various sized tips, designed to create a variety of line widths when making the body art pattern on the skin.

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Plastic Applicator Bottles          Henna Paste in Cones

         (with blunt tips)                      (tips of the cones are cut)

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The paste is left on overnight, and it is removed after 8-12 hours.  Immediately after the paste removal, the stain will be a medium orange color, which will darken "magically" during the next 48 hours.  The henna stain/design will last 2-4 weeks, or more, depending on the plant, how well the leaves were ground, and how long the henna paste is left on.

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Traditions of Henna as Body Art

Rajasthani Women from India

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Henna body art is used in various festivals and celebrations, and used primarily by women and children (traditionally.)

Below are a few photos of some ways in which henna has been traditionally (and modernly) used.

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For Weddings

Bridal henna on feet and hands

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For Maternity 

Henna on an expectant mother's pregnant belly.

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